THE ROAD TO HOLY ISLAND: THE CELEBRITIES EMBARKING ON BBC PILGRIMAGE REVEALED AHEAD OF NEW SERIES

With Easter approaching, a brand-new series of Pilgrimage returns to BBC Two and iPlayer, as seven well-known personalities of different faiths and beliefs, set off on a spectacular trail across the wild landscapes of North East England to explore the lives of early Celtic Christian saints. 

Across 3 x 60 - minute episodes, this exciting eighth series, Pilgrimage: The Road to Holy Island (w/t), follows our celebrity pilgrims as they weave through the heart of Northumberland on a unique 390 km collection of trails. On the journey, they encounter Whitby’s world-famous cliff-top Abbey, and two of the most important pilgrimage sites in the North East: the UNESCO site of Durham Cathedral and their final destination, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.

Travelling on foot and by bus, our celebrities are immersed in profound encounters with nature and the landscapes that helped inspire early Celtic Christianity. From stunning coastlines and remote moorlands to the rolling hills of the Cheviots with its spectacular views, it is an epic journey of deep discovery.

Taking part in this physical and spiritual journey are: Practising Christian and leader of the dance troupe Diversity, Ashley Banjo; Spooks and Cold Feet actor Hermione Norris, who believes the divine can be found in all living things; atheist, TV personality Tasha Ghouri; stand-up comedian and observant Muslim, Hasan Al-Habib; radio presenter, Jayne Middlemiss who describes herself as spiritual; comedian, Ashley Blaker, now agnostic, was once a practising Orthodox Jew; and actor and self-proclaimed “a la carte” Catholic, Patsy Kensit.

Beginning their journey on the coast just south of the dramatic ruins of Whitby Abbey, the pilgrims travel along a curated network of trails celebrating three of England’s most revered 7th century Northern saints - Hild, Oswald and Cuthbert.   

In true Pilgrimage style, the pilgrims carry their own backpacks, and overnight in various locations, from small wooden pods to an off-grid hostel and a basic bunkroom.

Travelling north on the way of St. Hild, the pilgrims take the stunning coastal path to the ammonite beaches of Runswick Bay, before heading inland towards Durham. Here 224 steep and uneven steps, locally known as the ‘Steps of Doom’, lead them to spectacular views and their first glimpse of Durham Cathedral. At this world-famous UNESCO site, the pilgrims are invited to take part in the medieval pilgrim tradition of foot washing, before visiting the shrine of St Cuthbert.

Heading out of Durham towards Heavenfield, where St Oswald won the battle to claim the Kingdom of Northumbria in the 7th century, they face an amber weather warning as they discover Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall.

Along the way the pilgrims visit several places of interest including Newcastle’s Reform Synagogue.  Founded in the early 1960s by the local community, including Jewish refugees who fled the Nazis during the holocaust, this synagogue continues to have strong links with current-day immigrants. They also visit the ‘Nether Springs’ retreat centre, where the daily lives of this community are inspired by the 7th century northern saints.

From here, they join St Oswald’s Way which takes the pilgrims towards the stunning North East coast where they visit a medieval hermitage in the grounds of Warkworth Castle which is carved into a rocky outcrop and only accessed by boat.

In the Scottish Borders, the pilgrims’ last trail, St Cuthbert’s Way - celebrates this revered Celtic Christian monk, bishop and hermit. A challenging walk in the Cheviots on Wide-Open Hill takes the pilgrims to the highest point on the route with its extraordinary 360-degree views. From here, they follow the trail to Cuthbert’s Cave where monks are said to have sheltered with his coffin when fleeing Viking raids on Lindisfarne.

After 12 demanding days, the group finally reach ‘Pilgrims’ Way’, where for more than a thousand years pilgrims have walked across the dramatic and dangerous tidal sands to reach Lindisfarne, known as Holy Island.

Revealing their thoughts on why they wanted to take part in this pilgrimage, the celebrities commented:

Ashley Banjo (51), Southend: “As a Christian I wanted to do this pilgrimage, to continue my journey of discovery through discussion, by asking questions, and to be asked questions in the context of faith. But I'm also taking part to have a really good hike!  So the pilgrimage to me not only represents the chance to explore my faith and meet some new people in the context of it, but to unplug and go on the walk of a lifetime”

Hermione Norris (58), Dorset and London: “Living a busy life, embarking on this pilgrimage allows me this rare opportunity to set aside time to walk, to question and to notice. For me, this is an uncommon gift.”

Patsy Kensit (57), London: “I’m joining Pilgrimage at a time when I feel the need to slow down and really listen, to myself, to others and to something beyond the noise of everyday life.  I’ve spent much of my life moving forward but this feels like a rare chance to pause and reflect.  I’m not sure what I’ll find along the way but I hope the journey will help me reconnect with what matters most and give me a deeper sense of perspective, gratitude and understanding - both of myself and the world around me.”

Tasha Ghouri (27), Hertfordshire: “Although I’m not religious, I want to take part in Pilgrimage because I’m genuinely curious and eager to step into something unfamiliar with an open heart and an open mind. I’m looking forward to learning alongside the other pilgrims, each of us coming from completely different backgrounds and beliefs. For me, this is about growth, reflection, and understanding faith from the inside out, not through assumptions or what other people say. I also want to explore what spirituality might mean beyond religion, and to do that with others who are also open to questioning and evolving.”

Jayne Middlemiss (56), London: “I have travelled across the world taking pilgrimage in far flung places and have always wanted to return home and do the pilgrimage of my homeland. To go back and walk in the steps of ancestors and to connect to not only my past but the past of my family. It was an opportunity I wanted to very much embrace.”

Ashley Blaker (51), London: “I've been on quite the journey with my faith over the past few years, so I’m looking forward to having time to reflect and work out where I am now. I’m excited to see who I’ll be walking with and to hear their stories. I’m sure we’ll all learn a lot from each other.”

Hasan Al-Habib (31), London and Birmingham: “For a practising Muslim like me, this show is an incredible opportunity. If, on the Day of Judgement, Allah asks me why I didn't perform the mandatory Islamic Pilgrimage of Hajj, I can now say: "Sorry, I didn't realise BBC Two's Pilgrimage Series 8 was set in Northumberland."

Daisy Scalchi, BBC's Head of Religion and Ethics for television, says: “what better way to embrace different perspectives and outlooks than walking with people who can open our hearts and minds to new ways of seeing the world. Pilgrimage is like no other show on TV and I’m so excited to see a new group strap on their walking boots for what will be an inspiring journey through one of England’s most dramatic landscapes”

Caroline Matthews, Executive Producer and CEO, CTVC says: “With a fantastic new cast, this series delivers a wonderful moment to explore life’s big questions, faith and culture whilst exploring the spectacular landscape of Britain’s North-East. As ever, stripped of their creature comforts, there is strong camaraderie, tears, joy and a fabulous amount of humour to get them through their epic journey!”

Transmission details will be announced in due course.